RESUME DUTIES, GOVERNOR OPARANYA TELLS HEALTH WORKERS

Kakamega Governor H.E Dr. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya has asked striking health workers in Kakamega County to resume duties effective Thursday morning.In his address to members of the Fourth estate at the County Headquarters in Kakamega, Wednesday afternoon, the Governor urged the medics to honor a court order by the Employment and Labour Relations Court that suspended nurses and clinical officers strike.”Due to suspension of the strike by the Court, I urge the Unions to instruct their members to resume duties immediately,” Dr. Oparanya said.The Governor regretted that the strike has paralyzed services in some of the public health facilities in the County and warned that workers who fail to report back to work will face disciplinary action.Dr. Oparanya reiterated that Kakamega County Government has addressed some of the issues raised by health workers among them; promotions, health insurance and provision of PPEs to protect them against Covid-19 and other infections.”Over 800 health workers have been promoted and we are in the process of hiring more to improve delivery of services; nurses just like other Government employees are also on NHIF cover to cater for their medical needs,” he revealed and explained that the demands by the practioners for a health commission and risk allowances will be addressed by the National Government.Deputy Governor H.E Prof. Philip Museve Kutima, County Executives and the County Secretary and Head of Public Service Madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo were in attendance.